UMass Memorial Health (UMMH) has integrated a language interpretation application into its Epic EHR system, enabling immediate access to a network of 20,000 medical interpreters proficient in over 240 languages.
The LanguageLine SMART-on-FHIR-based app seamlessly integrates into the Epic charting application, widely used for patient appointments. This integration enhances processes and elevates care quality for diverse populations within UMMH’s service areas.
In 2023, UMMH patients in Worcester, Mass., communicated in 108 different languages, resulting in over six million minutes of interpretation. LanguageLine Solutions underscores that its application simplifies interpreter connection, ensuring automated and accurate data collection for billing, compliance audits, and reimbursement, enabling clinicians to focus solely on patient care plans and outcomes.
Through integration into Epic, interpretation sessions are encrypted and documented in the EHR, providing a comprehensive record of the patient’s interpretation history. LanguageLine has tailored a flexible approach for UMMH, empowering the health system’s technology team to configure and adjust the integration autonomously.
“We are pleased to introduce this new resource to enhance the care experience for our patients while improving efficiencies for our clinical teams,” said Eric Alper, M.D., Chief Quality Officer and Chief Clinical Informatics Officer at UMMH. “Advancements in this area support our mission to promote health equity through technological innovations and community care.”
With a single click from Epic’s Haiku, Canto, or Rover app, LanguageLine’s app launches seamlessly with the patient’s details and preferred language pre-selected. Connecting with a LanguageLine interpreter typically takes less than 15 seconds, offering video and audio-only formats without requiring appointments, accessible 24/7.
After the interpretation session, LanguageLine automatically records key data such as language requested, call duration, and interpreter identification into clinic notes, flow sheets, and other data storage locations in Epic. This automated process integration assists providers in adhering to regulations outlined in Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
“The Epic integration underscores the power of collaboration,” stated Scott W. Klein, President, and CEO of LanguageLine. “It reflects not only a close partnership between the UMMH technology team and ours but also our commitment to understanding the workflows involved in serving patients with limited English proficiency or who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, through in-depth consultations with doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff.”
UMass Memorial Health, the largest nonprofit health system in Central Massachusetts, boasts a workforce of 17,000 employees and 2,100 physicians. Its network encompasses UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Memorial Health – Harrington, UMass Memorial Health – HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, UMass Memorial Health – Marlborough Hospital, UMass Memorial Health – Community Healthlink, and UMass Memorial Medical Group.
